Staples World archive photo by Dawn Schimpp Timbs Pillager fiddler Harold Hines, Pillager, took second place in his age group at the Fiddler's Contest in Pillager last year. Accompanied by Aitkin's Harry Wagoner on guitar, Hines played a beautiful rendition of "The Shannon Waltz." This year's contest is Saturday, April 4, in the Pillager High School gym. The 25th Annual Fiddler's Contest, sponsored by the Pillager Fairboard, will be held Saturday night, April 4, in the Pillager High School gym. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Although the contest doesn't kick off until 7 p.m., the Jeff LaSart Family from Deerwood will provide music beginning at 5 p.m.

"We're expecting a full house, so you'll want to be there early to get a good seat," said Arnie Cole, president of the Pillager Fairboard. "I think everyone's going to enjoy the LaSart's music."

It's hard to believe that a quarter of a century has passed since Pillager

held it's first fiddler's contest,

Arnie reminisced. "We have to thank Archie

Teigen from Brainerd for helping us get started," he added.

"I was part of the fire department at the time and my wife, Connie was a volunteer, too," Arnie said. "Archie asked if the fire department would consider hosting a fiddler's contest here in Pillager."

Connie and Arnie both thought it was a great idea and agreed to help organize the event.

"Connie did most of the work that year," Arnie said.

That first year approximately 18 fiddlers participated in the contest, which was held in the school cafeteria.

"We didn't stay in the cafeteria long," Connie said, adding that over the years the contest has grown in popularity; and it's not unusual to have nearly 500 people show up to cheer on their favorite fiddlers.

After five or six years, Arnie said, the Pillager Fairboard took over sponsoring the event; and the money raised goes to help maintain the fairgrounds.

Word about this contest in Pillager has spread over the years, attracting fiddlers of all ages, from all over the state.

"We get fiddlers from down in the Twin Cities area, as well as people from our own area," Arnie said.

"I think Gilmore Lee, from Maple Plain, has only missed a couple of years," he added.

Several new musicians have signed up to take the stage this year, Arnie said; and there's always room for more.

"Everyone's welcome," Connie said. "Just come and have fun; if you're a fiddler, don't be scared. Play like you do in your own living room," she added.

In addition to the great bluegrass music, Arnie and Connie said that people look forward to the raffle that is always held at some point during the evening.

"We've got great prizes to give away again this year," Arnie said. "Concessions are available, too."

For the past few years, Pillager's "Citizen of the Year" is announced during the fiddler's contest. "We've got another great person up for the award this year," Arnie said.

For more information about the event, or to register as a fiddler, call Arnie Cole at 218-746-3764. For more information about the Pillager Fairboard, visit www.pillagerfair.com.